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After Diwali, the Pimpri-Chinchwad area recorded some of the highest PM2.5 levels in Maharashtra. As part of mitigation efforts, the administration has set up air bins, dry mist fountains and used water treated by Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) to wash roads where the Air Quality Index (AQI) indicated high PM2.5 levels.
On the lines of Delhi-NCR region that takes on a set of emergency measures to combat air pollution known as Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the PCMC administration embarked on a similar process. “Essentially, these are multi-layered strategies where stages under the GRAP are initiated in case the AQI reaches ‘poor’ level,” Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh told The Indian Express. “However, we are also taking steps to prevent air pollution,” he said.
As per the post-Diwali air quality report prepared through the AtlasAQ platform by Respirer Living Sciences Pvt Ltd, a climate-tech startup, Pimpri-Chinchwad area recorded some of the highest PM2.5 levels in the state after Diwali, with concentrations reaching 125.62 μg/m3 on November 1. This places Pimpri-Chinchwad among the top polluted areas in the state, reflecting an urgent need for air quality interventions.
According to the report, Maharashtra’s post-Diwali air quality data reveals a significant shift in pollution levels, with Tier II cities such as Dhule, Nanded, and Pimpri-Chinchwad recording the highest PM2.5 concentrations in the state. The PCMC commissioner said the administration is focussing on a graded approach that encourage activities like cycling and walking as part of the Harit Setu project.
Sanjay Kulkarni, chief engineer, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, said it has been close to six months now that air bins under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) have been installed at 13 chowks including Kaspate chowk, Khandoba chowk, Pimpri chowk, Bhosari chowk, Nashik Phata chowk, Chinchwad Station chowk, Bhumkar chowk and others.
Air Bins involve an air purification system and draws polluted air through a 9 stage filtration process. It controls the ambient air pollutants such as PM (particulate matter) 2.5, PM 10, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, poisonous gases and fumes among others to improve air quality. Stationary fog cannon dust suppression systems have also been installed. PCMC officials point out that there is rising vehicular pollution apart from Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) plants, quarries and construction work.
“This is a multi-layered process to tackle air pollution and several strategies are being planned including introducing new concepts like low emission zones. Presently, an agency has also been instructed to levy spot fines from RMC plants who do not adhere to the rules like adequate fencing around the construction area, using green shed net and sprinklers among others,” Singh said.
